A MUSLIM man had a lucky escape from a mosque that was petrol bombed in Limerick this Thursday (February 12).
Gardaí are investigating the arson attack at the Limerick Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre in Dooradoyle, which caused internal damage at the building and sparked fear throughout the local Islamic community.
Sources said Gardaí were investigating reports that a male approached the mosque and threw a petrol bomb through a window.
The fire began inside the place of worship at around 1.15am this Thursday morning. A member of the mosque, who was in the building at the time, was left shocked but physically unhurt.
They were alerted by a fire alarm sounding in the building and contacted emergency services.
Firefighters attached to Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service responded at the scene and ensured the blaze was put out.
The mosque was cordoned off by investigating Gardaí who conducted a forensic examination of the scene.
Local businessman Aamer Khan, a regular attendee at the mosque, said it was the first attack of its kind on the mosque, which he said was established many years ago.
Mr Khan, travelled to the mosque for morning prayers, said: “I went there for prayers and I was told somebody tried to burn the place last night.”
“The Gardaí were there and it was deemed a crime scene and so we were not allowed go in.”
The fire is understood to have started in a bathroom and washing area of the mosque and Islamic cultural centre.
“We are in a process of repairing the place. It’s the first time something like this has happened, we did have break-ins before, but that was not an attack like this,” said Mr Khan.
“It looks like somebody was trying to burn it down, an arson attack is not common. In my 26 years here (in Limerick), it is the first time I ever saw it.
“I never thought that something like this would ever happen. But now incidents like this could happen, there are individuals who will do something like this.
“What we will do is take precautions, and the Gardaí will do their job, and I am pretty much sure the system will eventually find the guy and make him an example so that this thing doesn’t become a routine.
“Communities are expanding, Ireland is not the same as it was years ago, it’s a totally different place and everybody has to live together, so I do trust that the Gardaí will find (the perpetrator) one way or the other.”
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Azad Talukder, the first Muslim local representative of Limerick City and County Council, said Gardaí were searching for a male suspect who it’s believed ‘threw a petrol bomb in the mosque”.
“The whole community is shocked and frightened and unsure of what to do,” said Cllr Talukder.
“The main thing is no one was hurt, the whole place could have burnt down, if actions were not taken quickly.”
A Garda spokeswoman said that “Gardaí received a report of an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at a premises in the Dooradoyle area”.
She said that no injuries had been reported and investigations are ongoing.
Anyone within formation can contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214 340.